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Question
Is it possible that fire ants have shorted something out on my compressor. I have Rheem residential unit. I came home yesterday to find the 3Amp fuse on the airhandler popped. I replaced it and have gotten the fan to spin again. However the compressor outside is not turning on, the siemens control (up top) smells burned, and there are lots of dead fire ants around the unit. Please help, it's hot, and I am over drawn, so can't afford a service man. It's 100 + in south Texas, please help. Thank you & God bless!
Ants, lizzards, snakes, snails and so on can cause all sorts of shorts inside units. The 3 amp fuse is just a control fuse. There should be nothing wrong with the compressor. It is quite possible the control board is bad. The only way to know is to test with a meter, or is you see anything burned up on it.
Craig
achelpguy@gmail.com
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Answers by Expert:
Craig HVAC Expert
Expertise
I have been in the HVAC field for the past 12+ years. I can help with most HVAC questions. I work on commerical buildings for the most part, and have yet to find anything I could not troubleshoot and repair, when repairable. I work on small 1 ton units to a 2500 ton chiller. Troubleshoot air flow, elect, and control problems. I attend regular classes to keep up with the latest and greatest.
Experience
I have work in the HVAC trade for the past sixteen years. I work on commerical sites, hospitals, gov't buildings. I can troubleshoot just about anything in the HVAC business.
Education/Credentials
5 years union trade school, VFD training classes, Liebert factory training, some York and Trane factory training.
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